Stinging heart

Nicole calls Jordan late at night, a bold move that surprises him. He emerges from the bathroom, towel-clad, and answers the phone. Though Ivelle cannot hear the conversation, she observes Jordan's reaction, his mild displeasure evident as he tells Nicole not to fool around before hanging up. As Jordan prepares to leave, Ivelle, emboldened by recent events, implores him to stay. His reaction is sharp and dismissive; he questions her audacity and tells her she is becoming presumptuous. Ivelle, momentarily stunned, reminds him of the upcoming funeral for his grandfather, suggesting a need for propriety even if he cannot let someone go. Jordan responds with a chilling question about threats, his grip on her jaw intensifying as he notes Ivelle’s newfound assertiveness.